Posts Tagged cranberry sauce

This year I’m not cooking for Thanksgiving as we are dining at a pub called the Mayflower. Apparently the Mayflower is the pub from where the original pilgrims set off on their journey to America! I only found out about it this year, even though it’s not far from me! The pub celebrates Thanksgiving so I’m looking forward to having a traditional Thanksgiving meal there this year.

I also wont be cooking at Christmas this year as we will be in the snowy mountains of Vermont! It seemed a shame to let all these lovely recipes go by so I thought I would round-up some of my favourites to save for myself for future celebratory meals and also to share, maybe inspire with some ideas for your Thanksgiving (or Christmas) cooking.

Turkey

A must for me, after many years of experimenting I’ve settled on dry brining my turkey. I think it really does produce the most tasty, succulent turkey meat. The method I use for the dry brine is called the “Judy Bird” and is so simple but does require you to be organised as the recommended brining time is 3 days. I admit I usually only brine for 2 days and it turns out fabulously.

Vegetarian main course option

When I came across this Butternut Asparagus Crespelle it sounded so good it had to be included in my dream Thanksgiving recipe round-up, it sounds fabulous!

Gravy

The last gravy I made for Thanksgiving was this make ahead gravy and I would definitely recommend it. Making the gravy ahead of time is the perfect solution to that last-minute stress when everything is ready at the same time but you have to stir the gravy!

Stuffing

I love stuffing but so often I’m left stuffingless after discovering the stuffing contains sausage. As someone who doesn’t eat much meat it’s so disappointing to look forward to the stuffing only to discover meat hidden in it. I like to have 2 different stuffings if feeding a crowd and think its nice to offer a meat free stuffing. I love cornbread stuffing like this one from Love and Lemons.

I recently heard the term “stufffins” and just love with the idea! Its stuffing cooked in a muffin tin for individual portions, or stuffing muffins, what a fabulous idea! These will definitely be featuring on my next Thanksgiving table, although I don’t think I will be able to wait and will have to try them much sooner than that!

Sides

These are possibly my favourite dishes at Thanksgiving, I can get carried away and end up choosing too many! Some side dish recipes to catch my eye this year are as follows.

I love the look of these lovely Green Beans with Crisp Shallots from Mark Bittman they look delicious but also seem quick to make which is exactly what you want when it comes to the vegetable dishes for Thanksgiving.

I have spent many years tweaking my Cranberry Sauce recipe and its the one I always use, for Thanksgiving, Christmas and to give away.

Of course, my favourite part of a meal! The usual pumpkin pie doesn’t go down so well here but I like to keep the pumpkin theme and have had my eye on these Pumpkin Cheesecake Trifles for some time! This Salted Caramel Cheesecake Pie is a fabulous alternative for the pumpkin haters!

And there you have it, my dream Thanksgiving spread! Wherever you are and whatever you do I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving!

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I am a bit behind on blog posts at the moment but I wanted to take the time to wish all of those who celebrate a happy Thanksgiving.

This time last year I had a few lists on the go and my mind was abuzz with turkey and desserts! I was entertaining for Thanksgiving and preparation had begun the weekend before when I made my cranberry sauce and made my version of this Make Ahead Gravy, what a lifesaver that turned out to be! I was so happy on the day not to have to worry about making the gravy! A few days later I embarked on my first turkey brine experience, I used the Judy Bird brine and it was a triumph and I will be repeating it with my turkey this Christmas.

Although Thanksgiving isnt celebrated here its still nice to stop and take a moment to be thankful! This year I am not entertaining but I am thankful that all who sat at my table last Thanksgiving are well and I hope it won’t be too long before we are all together again.

I am also thankful for my little blog which keeps me very entertained and I’ve “met” some lovely people through it. Thank you to all who visit and comment. It’s a very rainy day here today but even in the rain some lovely pictures can be found, these were taken in my garden.